Teenage Suicides: Learning About the Epidemic

Author: Brennan

7 May

Teen Suicide: How many? Who is at Risk?

Did you know that teen suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death among teenagers? Even more, it is the SECOND leading cause of death among college students! And statistics show that for every suicide that is actually accomplished, at least 25, and perhaps as many as 100, were attempted!

In this series, you’ll learn some of the statistics about teen suicide, but also the risk factors, some of the signs and symptoms to look for and methods to actually prevent suicides.

First, some statistics:

Over 10,000 teens commit suicide each year (And this does not count teens who kill themselves through auto accidents or other dangerous behavior).
The rate of teen suicide has increased 300% in the last 25 years.
Nine times more females attempt suicide than males.
Completed suicides are three to four times as many males as females, probably due to the methods utilized.
Girls generally attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves.
Boys tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms or hanging, and thus are generally more likely to die.

A Cry For Help!

Talk about suicide, and suicide attempts, are a cry for help. Unfortunately, teen boys are less likely to call for help so they leave less room for intervention when an attempt is made, thus they are usually more successful (sic) at suicide.

No matter how casual, or even humorous, the suicide comment may be, with teens it should ALWAYS be a warning flag. The old adage “If they talk about it, they won’t do it” is WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Teens often work themselves into a mental state that sees suicide as the best option, by practicing, and becoming more comfortable with, suicide statements and the option of suicide.

Teen suicide has reached epidemic proportions. There is so much to learn and know about recognition of who is at risk, signs and symptoms and preventative measures, that I will take each topic separately.

Now that you know how widespread the tragedy of suicide is, next, I’ll share risk factors with you. Maybe together we can work to reverse this horrendous trend, and even save a life!

Until the next post,
Brennan